Description

Jean-Jacques de Boissieu (1736-1810)

Jean-Jacques de Boissieu: The Great Charlatans; after the painting by Karle du Jardin

Etching and drypoint, 1772

Proof on china paper applied on wove paper. 4th state out of 7 with the asterisk following the signature. Inside the print, at the lower right corner: ‘K. Du Jardin pinxit 1657′, and, at the lower left corner: ‘J.-J. DB 1772′. Outside the square line, in the center, the mention ‘gravé d’après le tableau de Karle du Jardin tiré du Cabinet de Monsieur Blondel de Gagny / Receveur Général des Finances’.

Dimensions of the sheet : H. 350 mm x L. 440 mm – Dimensions of the square line : H. 246 mm x L. 329 mm.

References: Marie-Félicie Perez, L’oeuvre gravé de Jean-Jacques de Boissieu 1736-1810, n°63 page 146 & 147. 1994, Editions du Tricorne.

Condition: some scattered foxing in the margins.

Short biography

de Boissieu great charlatans : Boissieu is an engraver and painter (Lyon, 1736 – Lyon, 1810). During his lifetime he enjoyed a great reputation both in France and in Europe. He is nicknamed by some the “French Rembrandt”. Boissieu is considered one of the founders of the Lyon School of painting. He produces a few plates for Diderot’s Encyclopedia. Then he specializes in portraits, landscapes and scenes of daily life in the Lyon region.

His style

This engraver is linked, by his concern for realism, to the Dutch school. According to Jean Adhémar, Boissieu is inspired by Rembrandt but especially by his students Jan Lievens and Jan van Vliet; he qualified him as a “virtuoso of etching” and estimated that the best of his work dates from the 18th century. Boissieu influences the first aquafortists of 1850: Charles Meryon, Félix Bracquemond, Eugène Bléry.

Travels

Boissieu made the traditional Grand Tour to Italy in the company of his patron François XII Alexandre Frédéric de La Rochefoucauld, duke of Liancourt and later of La Rochefoucauld. The two men stayed in Rome, Genoa, Naples, where Boissieu drew in museums and especially from life. He became friends with Winckelmnann, a protégé of Cardinal Albani.